Extending a time gap range for non-terrestrial networks

ABSTRACT

A user equipment (UE) comprising a processor configured to perform the operations that determines an uplink (UL) slot is described. In exemplary embodiments, the UE receives, from a base station, a scaling factor through a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal. The UE may further determines an offset through a second RRC signal. In addition, the UE may receive from the base station, downlink control information (DCI) that includes an indication of an initial time gap. Furthermore, the UE may calculate a new time gap by at least applying the scaling factor to the initial time gap and determine a slot of uplink transmission based on at least the new time gap and the offset.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of and claims the benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/598,238, filed on Oct. 14, 2021,which is a national phase of International Application No.PCT/CN2020/107967, filed on Aug. 7, 2020 and the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to wireless technology and moreparticularly to applying timing enhancements for a link in anon-terrestrial network

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In 5G New Radio (NR), there are several different timing relationshipsthat are defined for a Terrestrial Network (TN). For example, K₀ is thetime gap between the Downlink Control Information (DCI) and the PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). In addition, K₁ is the time gap betweenPDSCH reception and Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmissionand K₂ is the time gap between the DCI and the Physical Uplink SharedChannel (PUSCH). In NR Rel 16, for a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN),these timing relationships may change because of the largercommunications distances involved in NTN by having a wireless linktraverse from a ground-based user equipment (UE) to a satellite and backdown to a ground-based network (and vice versa). A challenge is todetermine how these timing relationships can be changed for an NTN.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

A user equipment (UE) comprising a processor configured to perform theoperations that determines an uplink (UL) slot is described. Inexemplary embodiments, the UE receives, from a base station, a scalingfactor through a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal. The UE mayfurther determines an offset through a second RRC signal. In addition,the UE may receive from the base station, downlink control information(DCI) that includes an indication of an initial time gap. Furthermore,the UE may calculate a new time gap by at least applying the scalingfactor to the initial time gap and determine a slot of uplinktransmission based on at least the new time gap and the offset. Thescaling factor is dependent on at least one of a cell size, a beam size,and user equipment capability. For a UE has high capabilities, thescaling factor is 1 and for a UE that has low capabilities, the scalingfactor greater than 1. In addition, the scaling factor ranges from 1 to16.

In addition, the initial time gap is a plurality of time gaps thatincludes K₁ and K₂, wherein K₁ represents a time gap between a PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception and a Physical Uplink ControlChannel (PUCCH) transmission, and K₂ represents a time gap between aPhysical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) reception and Physical UplinkShared Channel (PUSCH) transmission. Furthermore, there can be differentscaling factors for different K values or different UE. In addition,there can be the same scaling factor for different K values. The initialtime gap includes K₄ that represents a time gap between a PhysicalSidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) reception and a Physical UplinkControl Channel (PUCCH) transmission.

In another embodiment, a UE comprising a processor configured to performthe operations that determines an uplink (UL) slot using a scalingfactor set is described. In one embodiment, the UE receives, from a basestation, a set of scaling factors through a first Radio Resource Control(RRC) signal. The UE may further determine an offset through a secondRRC signal. Additionally, the UE may receive, from the base station,downlink control information (DCI) that includes an indication of aninitial time gap and an indication of a selected scaling factor that isone of the set of scaling factors. The UE may further calculate a newtime gap by at least applying the selected scaling factor to the initialtime gap and determine a slot of uplink transmission based on at leastthe new time gap and the offset. The scaling factor can be dependent onat least one of a cell size, a beam size, and user equipment capability.

In addition, the initial time gap is a plurality of time gaps thatincludes K₁ and K₂, wherein K₁ represents a time gap between a PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception and a Physical Uplink ControlChannel (PUCCH) transmission, and K₂ represents a time gap between aPhysical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) reception and Physical UplinkShared Channel (PUSCH) transmission. Furthermore, there can be differentscaling factors for different K values or different UE. In addition,there can be the same scaling factor for different K values. The initialtime gap includes K₄ that represents a time gap between a PhysicalSidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) reception and a Physical UplinkControl Channel (PUCCH) transmission.

In another embodiment, a baseband processor configured to perform theoperations that determines an uplink (UL) slot is described. Inexemplary embodiments, the baseband processor receives, from a basestation, a scaling factor through a first Radio Resource Control (RRC)signal. The baseband processor may further determine an offset through asecond RRC signal. In addition, the baseband processor may receive fromthe base station, downlink control information (DCI) that includes anindication of an initial time gap. Furthermore, the baseband processormay calculate a new time gap by at least applying the scaling factor tothe initial time gap and determine a slot of uplink transmission basedon at least the new time gap and the offset.

In another embodiment, a baseband processor configured to perform theoperations that determines an uplink (UL) slot using a scaling factorset is described. In one embodiment, the baseband processor receives,from a base station, a set of scaling factors through a first RadioResource Control (RRC) signal. The baseband processor may furtherdetermine an offset through a second RRC signal. Additionally, thebaseband processor may receive, from the base station, downlink controlinformation (DCI) that includes an indication of an initial time gap andan indication of a selected scaling factor that is one of the set ofscaling factors. The baseband processor may further calculate a new timegap by at least applying the selected scaling factor to the initial timegap and determine a slot of uplink transmission based on at least thenew time gap and the offset.

A method and apparatus of a base station comprising a processorconfigured to perform the operations that determine a slot for uplinkreception for a non-terrestrial network link between a base station anda user equipment is described. In exemplary embodiments, the basestation determines a timing advance based on at least a random accesspreamble reception and determines an uplink offset based on the timingadvance. The base station may further determine a candidate slot for anuplink reception based on at least the offset. In addition, the basestation may determine if the candidate slot is available for the uplinkreception. The base station may use the candidate slot for the uplinkreception when the candidate uplink slot is available and may use thenext available slot for the uplink reception when the candidate uplinkslot is not available.

In addition, the uplink reception comprises a Physical Uplink SharedChannel (PUSCH), Random Access Response (RAR) scheduled by PUSCH,Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), or aperiodic SRS. The basestation may further determine if the candidate slot is an uplink slot, adownlink slot, a hybrid slot or a flexible slot based on at least theTime Division Duplex (TDD) configuration of the candidate slot format,wherein the candidate slot is available when the candidate slot is oneof an uplink slot or a hybrid slot with the uplink receptioncorresponding to uplink symbols in the hybrid slot and the candidateslot is unavailable when the candidate slot is one of a downlink slot, ahybrid slot with the uplink reception not corresponding to uplinksymbols in the hybrid slot, or a flexible slot.

Furthermore, the uplink offset is a measure of a delay of thenon-terrestrial network link. The base station may further compute theuplink offset based on at least a timing advance of one or moresatellite links in the non-terrestrial network. In addition, the uplinkoffset is set equal to a sum of a service link timing advance and afeeder link timing advance, divided by a slot duration. The base stationmay further compute a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE)action timing using at least the uplink offset. The base station mayadditionally compute a time gap between a last Physical SidelinkFeedback Channel (PSFCH) reception and Physical Uplink Control Channel(PUCCH) transmission using a sidelink offset, where the sidelink offsetmay have a different value than the uplink offset. The base station mayfurther compute a time domain offset for a type 1 configured grantconfiguration using at least the uplink offset.

In a further embodiment, a user equipment (UE) comprising a processorconfigured to perform the operations that determine a slot for a ChannelState Information (CSI) reference resource is described. In oneembodiment, the UE receives, from a base station, timing advanceinformation. The UE may additionally determine an offset based on thetiming advance information. The UE further determines a candidate slotfor a Channel State Information (CSI) reference resource based on atleast the offset. In addition, the UE may determine if the candidateslot is available for the CSI reference resource. Furthermore, the UEmay use the candidate slot for the CSI reference resource when thecandidate slot is available and may use another slot for the CSIreference resource when the candidate slot is not available. Inaddition, the another available CSI reference resource can be a previousslot or a next slot of the candidate slot.

The UE may additionally determine if the candidate slot is an uplinkslot, a downlink slot, a hybrid slot or a flexible slot based on atleast the Time Division Duplex (TDD) configuration of the candidate slotformat, wherein the candidate slot is available if the candidate slot isan uplink slot, a downlink slot, a hybrid slot or a flexible slot basedon at least the Time Division Duplex (TDD) configuration of thecandidate slot format, wherein the candidate slot is available if thecandidate slot is one of a downlink slot or a hybrid slot with thedownlink reception corresponding to downlink symbols in the hybrid slotand the candidate slot is unavailable if the candidate slot is one of anuplink slot, a hybrid slot with the downlink reception not correspondingto downlink symbols in the hybrid slot, or a flexible slot.

In another embodiment, a baseband processor that determines a slot for aChannel State Information (CSI) reference resource is described. In oneembodiment, the baseband processor receives, from a base station, timingadvance information. The baseband processor may additionally determinean offset based on the timing advance information. The basebandprocessor further determines a candidate slot for a CSI referenceresource based on at least the offset. In addition, the basebandprocessor may determine if the candidate slot is available for the CSIreference resource. Furthermore, the baseband processor may use thecandidate slot for the CSI reference resource when the candidate slot isavailable and may use another slot for the CSI reference resource whenthe candidate slot is not available. In addition, the another availableCSI reference resource can be a previous slot or a next slot of thecandidate slot. In addition, the offset is a measure of a delay of thenon-terrestrial network link.

In another embodiment, a non-transitory machine-readable medium havingexecutable instructions, when executed by one or more processing unitsto perform a method that determines a slot for uplink reception for anon-terrestrial network link between a base station and a user equipmentis described. In one embodiment, this method determines a timing advancebased on at least a random access preamble reception and determines anuplink offset based on the timing advance. The method may furtherdetermine a candidate slot for an uplink reception based on at least theoffset. In addition, this method may determine if the candidate slot isavailable for the uplink reception. The method may use the candidateslot for the uplink reception when the candidate uplink slot isavailable and may use the next available slot for the uplink receptionwhen the candidate uplink slot is not available.

In a further embodiment, a non-transitory machine-readable medium havingexecutable instructions, when executed by one or more processing unitsto perform a method that determines a slot for a Channel StateInformation (CSI) reference resource is described. In one embodiment,this method receives, from a base station, timing advance information.The method may additionally determine an offset based on the timingadvance information. The method further determines a candidate slot fora CSI reference resource based on at least the offset. In addition, themethod may determine if the candidate slot is available for the CSIreference resource. Furthermore, the method may use the candidate slotfor the CSI reference resource when the candidate slot is available andmay use another slot for the CSI reference resource when the candidateslot is not available.

Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 2AB illustrate a base station (BS) in communication with a userequipment (UE) device over a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a UE according to someembodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of a BS according to someembodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of cellular communicationcircuitry, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of some embodiments of reception andtransmission timings.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of some embodiments of NTN timingrelationships.

FIG. 8AB are flow diagrams of some embodiments of a process to determineK_(offset) and use K_(offset) for determining different timings.

FIG. 9A-D are flow diagrams of some embodiments of a process to extendone or more time gaps between a downlink (DL) and an uplink (UL).

FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of a timing relationshipfor a sidelink in NTN according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11AB illustrate an example block diagram of a timing relationshipfor a Type 1 Configured Grant Configuration in NTN.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of some embodiments of a process to determineand apply a scaling to K₄.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method and apparatus of a device that extends a time between downlinkand up transmissions for a non-terrestrial network link between a basestation and a user equipment is described. In the following description,numerous specific details are set forth to provide thorough explanationof embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,to one skilled in the art, that embodiments of the present invention maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known components, structures, and techniques have not been shown indetail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description.

Reference in the specification to “some embodiments” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment can be included in at least oneembodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in someembodiments” in various places in the specification do not necessarilyall refer to the same embodiment.

In the following description and claims, the terms “coupled” and“connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should beunderstood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other.“Coupled” is used to indicate that two or more elements, which may ormay not be in direct physical or electrical contact with each other,co-operate or interact with each other. “Connected” is used to indicatethe establishment of communication between two or more elements that arecoupled with each other.

The processes depicted in the figures that follow, are performed byprocessing logic that comprises hardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicatedlogic, etc.), software (such as is run on a general-purpose computersystem or a dedicated machine), or a combination of both. Although theprocesses are described below in terms of some sequential operations, itshould be appreciated that some of the operations described may beperformed in different order. Moreover, some operations may be performedin parallel rather than sequentially.

The terms “server,” “client,” and “device” are intended to refergenerally to data processing systems rather than specifically to aparticular form factor for the server, client, and/or device.

A method and apparatus of a device that extends a time between downlinkand up transmissions for a non-terrestrial network link between a basestation and a user equipment is described. In some embodiments, aNon-Terrestrial Network (NTN) is a type of wireless communication systemthat utilizes a satellite system as part of the wireless communicationsystem between a user equipment (UE) and a base station (BS). For timingin NTN systems, the timing relationships are different because of thelonger delays involved in communicating data across a satellite basedsystem. In some embodiments, and in the NR Rel 16 NTN study, a timingrelationship is achieved by introducing an offset K_(offset), where thePUSCH timing is

$\left\lfloor {n \cdot \frac{2^{\mu_{PUSCH}}}{2^{\mu_{PDCCH}}}} \right\rfloor + K_{2} + {K_{offset}.}$

Here, K₂ is indicated by the DCI, and μ_(PUSCH) and μ_(PDCCH) are thesub-carrier spacing for PUSCH and PDCCH, respectively. In someembodiments, K_(offset) is used to count the large propagation delayfrom satellite, where K_(offset) is in unit of slots. However, achallenge can be determining the time relationship based on the timingadvance (TA). For example and in some embodiments, there will be a needto calculate K_(offset) and also a need to ensure the proper UL slotafter an additional slot offset. In addition, the NTN system thatincludes a UE with low capability of deriving the accurate differentialTA, there is a challenge in ensuring that the PUCCH/PUSCH scheduled viaK₁ and K₂, can be received at Next Generation NodeB (gNB) with propertiming. In this embodiment, the existing K₁ and K₂ value ranges can besmall and small K₁ and K₂ values may not be suitable for UEs with lowcapability of accurate differential TA acquisition. With theintroduction of UE-specific time offset, the slot for uplinktransmissions of PUSCH or PUCCH are not guaranteed to be uplink slot,with the existing range of K₁ and K₂. Hence, it is preferred to extendthe range of K₁ and K₂ for NTN.

In some embodiments, the time offset K_(offset) is introduced for NTNand is added on top of the existing timing of UE transmission types(e.g. DCI scheduled PUSCH, RAR scheduled PUSCH, PUCCH, MAC CE actiontiming, aperiodic SRS, as well as the CRI-RS reference resource). Forexample and in some embodiments, the time offset K_(offset) iscalculated based on the summation of service link full TA and feederlink TA for transparent satellite. As another example, and in someembodiments,

$K_{offset} = {\left\lceil \frac{{TA_{se{rvice}{link}}} + {TA_{{feeder}{link}}}}{{slot}{duration}} \right\rceil.}$

In another embodiment, for different satellite systems, K_(offset) maybe calculated differently, e.g., is calculated based on the service linkfull TA for regenerate satellite.

In some embodiments, existing K₁ values can range from 0-15 slots andexisting K₂ values can range from 0-32 slots. For example and in someembodiments, NTN can have large cell size and/or a large differential TAvalues. In this example, inaccurate differential TA values can be due toa UE's capability. In some embodiments, a scaling factor can be appliedto K₁, K₂ values, where a single scaling factor value for each UE, wherethere can be different scaling factors for K₁ and K₂. In addition, theselected scaling factor can depend on UE capability. For example and insome embodiments, for a high capable UE, the scaling configuration isnot needed, or configured scaling factor can be 1. Alternatively, for alow capable UE, the configuration can include a single scaling factorthat is larger than 1. In another embodiment, a scaling factor can beapplied to K₄.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified example wireless communication system,according to some embodiments. It is noted that the system of FIG. 1 ismerely one example of a possible system, and that features of thisdisclosure may be implemented in any of various systems, as desired.

As shown, the example wireless communication system includes a basestation 102A which communicates over a transmission medium with one ormore user devices 106A, 106B, etc., through 106N. Each of the userdevices may be referred to herein as a “user equipment” (UE). Thus, theuser devices 106 are referred to as UEs or UE devices.

The base station (BS) 102A may be a base transceiver station (BTS) orcell site (a “cellular base station”) and may include hardware thatenables wireless communication with the UEs 106A through 106N.

The communication area (or coverage area) of the base station may bereferred to as a “cell.” The base station 102A and the UEs 106 may beconfigured to communicate over the transmission medium using any ofvarious radio access technologies (RATs), also referred to as wirelesscommunication technologies, or telecommunication standards, such as GSM,UMTS (associated with, for example, WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces),LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 5G new radio (5G NR), HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000(e.g., 1×RTT, 1×EV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc. Note that if the base station102A is implemented in the context of LTE, it may alternately bereferred to as an ‘eNodeB’ or ‘eNB’. Note that if the base station 102Ais implemented in the context of 5G NR, it may alternately be referredto as ‘gNodeB’ or ‘gNB’.

As shown, the base station 102A may also be equipped to communicate witha network 100 (e.g., a core network of a cellular service provider, atelecommunication network such as a public switched telephone network(PSTN), and/or the Internet, among various possibilities). Thus, thebase station 102A may facilitate communication between the user devicesand/or between the user devices and the network 100. In particular, thecellular base station 102A may provide UEs 106 with varioustelecommunication capabilities, such as voice, SMS and/or data services.

Base station 102A and other similar base stations (such as base stations102B . . . 102N) operating according to the same or a different cellularcommunication standard may thus be provided as a network of cells, whichmay provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping service to UEs106A-N and similar devices over a geographic area via one or morecellular communication standards.

Thus, while base station 102A may act as a “serving cell” for UEs 106A-Nas illustrated in FIG. 1 , each UE 106 may also be capable of receivingsignals from (and possibly within communication range of) one or moreother cells (which might be provided by base stations 102B-N and/or anyother base stations), which may be referred to as “neighboring cells”.Such cells may also be capable of facilitating communication betweenuser devices and/or between user devices and the network 100. Such cellsmay include “macro” cells, “micro” cells, “pico” cells, and/or cellswhich provide any of various other granularities of service area size.For example, base stations 102A-B illustrated in FIG. 1 might be macrocells, while base station 102N might be a micro cell. Otherconfigurations are also possible.

In some embodiments, base station 102A may be a next generation basestation, e.g., a 5G New Radio (5G NR) base station, or “gNB”. In someembodiments, a gNB may be connected to a legacy evolved packet core(EPC) network and/or to a NR core (NRC) network. In addition, a gNB cellmay include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). Inaddition, a UE capable of operating according to 5G NR may be connectedto one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

Note that a UE 106 may be capable of communicating using multiplewireless communication standards. For example, the UE 106 may beconfigured to communicate using a wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi)and/or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth,Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.) in addition to at least one cellularcommunication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (associated with, for example,WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR, HSPA, 3GPP2CDMA2000 (e.g., 1×RTT, 1×EV-DO, HRPD, eHIRPD), etc.). The UE 106 mayalso or alternatively be configured to communicate using one or moreglobal navigational satellite systems (GNSS, e.g., GPS or GLONASS), oneor more mobile television broadcasting standards (e.g., ATSC-M/H orDVB-H), and/or any other wireless communication protocol, if desired.Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including morethan two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

FIG. 2AB illustrate a base station (BS) in communication with a userequipment (UE) device over a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) according tosome embodiments. FIG. 2A illustrates user equipment 206A that can be incommunication with a 5G core network 210A or another user equipment 206Bin direct communication (also known as device to device or sidelink). Insome embodiments, the UE 206A can be in communication with the satellite202 via service link 204A, where the satellite 202 is in communicationwith the 5G core network 210A via a feeder link 208A and Next GenerationNodeB (gnB) 212A.

In some embodiments, sidelink communication can utilize dedicatedsidelink channels and sidelink protocols to facilitate communicationdirectly between devices. For example, sidelink control channel (PSCCH)can be used for actual data transmission between the devices, physicalsidelink shared channel (PSSCH) can be used for conveying sidelinkcontrol information (SCI), physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH)can be used for HARQ feedback information, and physical sidelinkbroadcast channel (PSBCH) can be used for synchronization.

In another embodiment, FIG. 2B illustrates UE 206C that can be incommunication with a 5G core network 210B or another UE 206D in directcommunication. In some embodiments, the UE 206C can be in communicationwith the satellite that is a gnB 212B via service link 204B, where thegnB 212B is in communication with the 5G core network 210B via a feederlink 208B.

In addition, sidelink communications can be used for communicationsbetween vehicles to vehicles (V2V), vehicle to infrastructure (V2I),vehicle to people (V2P), vehicle to network (V2N), and other types ofdirect communications.

Returning to FIG. 1 , any of UE 106A-N can also be in communication witha base station 102A in through uplink and downlink communications,according to some embodiments. The UEs may each be a device withcellular communication capability such as a mobile phone, a hand-helddevice, a computer or a tablet, or virtually any type of wirelessdevice. The UEs 106A-N may include a processor that is configured toexecute program instructions stored in memory. The UEs 106A-N mayperform any of the method embodiments described herein by executing suchstored instructions. Alternatively, or in addition, the UEs 106A-N mayinclude a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA(field-programmable gate array) that is configured to perform any of themethod embodiments described herein, or any portion of any of the methodembodiments described herein.

The UEs 106A-N may include one or more antennas for communicating usingone or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In someembodiments, the UEs 106A-N may be configured to communicate using, forexample, CDMA2000 (1×RTT/1×EV-DO/HRPD/eHRPD) or LTE using a singleshared radio and/or GSM or LTE using the single shared radio. The sharedradio may couple to a single antenna, or may couple to multiple antennas(e.g., for MIMO) for performing wireless communications. In general, aradio may include any combination of a baseband processor, analog RFsignal processing circuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers,oscillators, amplifiers, etc.), or digital processing circuitry (e.g.,for digital modulation as well as other digital processing). Similarly,the radio may implement one or more receive and transmit chains usingthe aforementioned hardware. For example, the UEs 106A-B may share oneor more parts of a receive and/or transmit chain between multiplewireless communication technologies, such as those discussed above.

In some embodiments, the UEs 106A-N may include separate transmit and/orreceive chains (e.g., including separate antennas and other radiocomponents) for each wireless communication protocol with which it isconfigured to communicate. As a further possibility, the UEs 106A-N mayinclude one or more radios which are shared between multiple wirelesscommunication protocols, and one or more radios which are usedexclusively by a single wireless communication protocol. For example,the UE 106A-N might include a shared radio for communicating usingeither of LTE or 5G NR (or LTE or 1×RTT or LTE or GSM), and separateradios for communicating using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Otherconfigurations are also possible.

FIG. 3—Block Diagram of a UE

FIG. 3 illustrates an example simplified block diagram of acommunication device 106, according to some embodiments. It is notedthat the block diagram of the communication device of FIG. 3 is only oneexample of a possible communication device. According to embodiments,communication device 106 may be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobiledevice or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, adesktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., alaptop, notebook, or portable computing device), a tablet and/or acombination of devices, among other devices. As shown, the communicationdevice 106 may include a set of components 300 configured to performcore functions. For example, this set of components may be implementedas a system on chip (SOC), which may include portions for variouspurposes. Alternatively, this set of components 300 may be implementedas separate components or groups of components for the various purposes.The set of components 300 may be coupled (e.g., communicatively;directly or indirectly) to various other circuits of the communicationdevice 106.

For example, the communication device 106 may include various types ofmemory (e.g., including NAND flash 310), an input/output interface suchas connector I/F 320 (e.g., for connecting to a computer system; dock;charging station; input devices, such as a microphone, camera, keyboard;output devices, such as speakers; etc.), the display 360, which may beintegrated with or external to the communication device 106, andcellular communication circuitry 330 such as for 5G NR, LTE, GSM, etc.,and short to medium range wireless communication circuitry 329 (e.g.,Bluetooth™ and WLAN circuitry). In some embodiments, communicationdevice 106 may include wired communication circuitry (not shown), suchas a network interface card, e.g., for Ethernet.

The cellular communication circuitry 330 may couple (e.g.,communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, suchas antennas 335 and 336 as shown. The short to medium range wirelesscommunication circuitry 329 may also couple (e.g., communicatively;directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as antennas 337and 338 as shown. Alternatively, the short to medium range wirelesscommunication circuitry 329 may couple (e.g., communicatively; directlyor indirectly) to the antennas 335 and 336 in addition to, or insteadof, coupling (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to theantennas 337 and 338. The short to medium range wireless communicationcircuitry 329 and/or cellular communication circuitry 330 may includemultiple receive chains and/or multiple transmit chains for receivingand/or transmitting multiple spatial streams, such as in amultiple-input multiple output (MIMO) configuration.

In some embodiments, as further described below, cellular communicationcircuitry 330 may include dedicated receive chains (including and/orcoupled to, e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly. dedicatedprocessors and/or radios) for multiple radio access technologies (RATs)(e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5GNR). In addition, in some embodiments, cellular communication circuitry330 may include a single transmit chain that may be switched betweenradios dedicated to specific RATs. For example, a first radio may bededicated to a first RAT, e.g., LTE, and may be in communication with adedicated receive chain and a transmit chain shared with an additionalradio, e.g., a second radio that may be dedicated to a second RAT, e.g.,5G NR, and may be in communication with a dedicated receive chain andthe shared transmit chain.

The communication device 106 may also include and/or be configured foruse with one or more user interface elements. The user interfaceelements may include any of various elements, such as display 360 (whichmay be a touchscreen display), a keyboard (which may be a discretekeyboard or may be implemented as part of a touchscreen display), amouse, a microphone and/or speakers, one or more cameras, one or morebuttons, and/or any of various other elements capable of providinginformation to a user and/or receiving or interpreting user input.

The communication device 106 may further include one or more smart cards345 that include SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) functionality, such asone or more UICC(s) (Universal Integrated Circuit Card(s)) cards 345.

As shown, the SOC 300 may include processor(s) 302, which may executeprogram instructions for the communication device 106 and displaycircuitry 304, which may perform graphics processing and provide displaysignals to the display 360. The processor(s) 302 may also be coupled tomemory management unit (MMU) 340, which may be configured to receiveaddresses from the processor(s) 302 and translate those addresses tolocations in memory (e.g., memory 306, read only memory (ROM) 350, NANDflash memory 310) and/or to other circuits or devices, such as thedisplay circuitry 304, short range wireless communication circuitry 229,cellular communication circuitry 330, connector I/F 320, and/or display360. The MMU 340 may be configured to perform memory protection and pagetable translation or set up. In some embodiments, the MMU 340 may beincluded as a portion of the processor(s) 302.

As noted above, the communication device 106 may be configured tocommunicate using wireless and/or wired communication circuitry. Thecommunication device 106 may also be configured to determine a physicaldownlink shared channel scheduling resource for a user equipment deviceand a base station. Further, the communication device 106 may beconfigured to group and select CCs from the wireless link and determinea virtual CC from the group of selected CCs. The wireless device mayalso be configured to perform a physical downlink resource mapping basedon an aggregate resource matching patterns of groups of CCs.

As described herein, the communication device 106 may include hardwareand software components for implementing the above features fordetermining a physical downlink shared channel scheduling resource for acommunications device 106 and a base station. The processor 302 of thecommunication device 106 may be configured to implement part or all ofthe features described herein, e.g., by executing program instructionsstored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readablememory medium). Alternatively (or in addition), processor 302 may beconfigured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (FieldProgrammable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application Specific IntegratedCircuit). Alternatively (or in addition) the processor 302 of thecommunication device 106, in conjunction with one or more of the othercomponents 300, 304, 306, 310, 320, 329, 330, 340, 345, 350, 360 may beconfigured to implement part or all of the features described herein.

In addition, as described herein, processor 302 may include one or moreprocessing elements. Thus, processor 302 may include one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functionsof processor 302. In addition, each integrated circuit may includecircuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured toperform the functions of processor(s) 302.

Further, as described herein, cellular communication circuitry 330 andshort range wireless communication circuitry 329 may each include one ormore processing elements. In other words, one or more processingelements may be included in cellular communication circuitry 330 and,similarly, one or more processing elements may be included in shortrange wireless communication circuitry 329. Thus, cellular communicationcircuitry 330 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) that areconfigured to perform the functions of cellular communication circuitry330. In addition, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g.,first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured to perform thefunctions of cellular communication circuitry 230. Similarly, the shortrange wireless communication circuitry 329 may include one or more ICsthat are configured to perform the functions of short range wirelesscommunication circuitry 32. In addition, each integrated circuit mayinclude circuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.)configured to perform the functions of short range wirelesscommunication circuitry 329.

FIG. 4—Block Diagram of a Base Station

FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of a base station 102,according to some embodiments. It is noted that the base station of FIG.4 is merely one example of a possible base station. As shown, the basestation 102 may include processor(s) 404 which may execute programinstructions for the base station 102. The processor(s) 404 may also becoupled to memory management unit (MMU) 440, which may be configured toreceive addresses from the processor(s) 404 and translate thoseaddresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 460 and read only memory(ROM) 450) or to other circuits or devices.

The base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. Thenetwork port 470 may be configured to couple to a telephone network andprovide a plurality of devices, such as UE devices 106, access to thetelephone network as described above in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

The network port 470 (or an additional network port) may also oralternatively be configured to couple to a cellular network, e.g., acore network of a cellular service provider. The core network mayprovide mobility related services and/or other services to a pluralityof devices, such as UE devices 106. In some cases, the network port 470may couple to a telephone network via the core network, and/or the corenetwork may provide a telephone network (e.g., among other UE devicesserviced by the cellular service provider).

In some embodiments, base station 102 may be a next generation basestation, e.g., a 5G New Radio (5G NR) base station, or “gNB”. In suchembodiments, base station 102 may be connected to a legacy evolvedpacket core (EPC) network and/or to a NR core (NRC) network. Inaddition, base station 102 may be considered a 5G NR cell and mayinclude one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). In addition,a UE capable of operating according to 5G NR may be connected to one ormore TRPs within one or more gNB s.

The base station 102 may include at least one antenna 434, and possiblymultiple antennas. The at least one antenna 434 may be configured tooperate as a wireless transceiver and may be further configured tocommunicate with UE devices 106 via radio 430. The antenna 434communicates with the radio 430 via communication chain 432.Communication chain 432 may be a receive chain, a transmit chain orboth. The radio 430 may be configured to communicate via variouswireless communication standards, including, but not limited to, 5G NR,LTE, LTE-A, GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, Wi-Fi, etc.

The base station 102 may be configured to communicate wirelessly usingmultiple wireless communication standards. In some instances, the basestation 102 may include multiple radios, which may enable the basestation 102 to communicate according to multiple wireless communicationtechnologies. For example, as one possibility, the base station 102 mayinclude an LTE radio for performing communication according to LTE aswell as a 5G NR radio for performing communication according to 5G NR.In such a case, the base station 102 may be capable of operating as bothan LTE base station and a 5G NR base station. As another possibility,the base station 102 may include a multi-mode radio which is capable ofperforming communications according to any of multiple wirelesscommunication technologies (e.g., 5G NR and Wi-Fi, LTE and Wi-Fi, LTEand UMTS, LTE and CDMA2000, UMTS and GSM, etc.).

As described further subsequently herein, the BS 102 may includehardware and software components for implementing or supportingimplementation of features described herein. The processor 404 of thebase station 102 may be configured to implement or supportimplementation of part or all of the methods described herein, e.g., byexecuting program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, theprocessor 404 may be configured as a programmable hardware element, suchas an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit), or a combination thereof. Alternatively(or in addition) the processor 404 of the BS 102, in conjunction withone or more of the other components 430, 432, 434, 440, 450, 460, 470may be configured to implement or support implementation of part or allof the features described herein.

In addition, as described herein, processor(s) 404 may be comprised ofone or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processingelements may be included in processor(s) 404. Thus, processor(s) 404 mayinclude one or more integrated circuits (ICs) that are configured toperform the functions of processor(s) 404. In addition, each integratedcircuit may include circuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry,etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor(s) 404.

Further, as described herein, radio 430 may be comprised of one or moreprocessing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements maybe included in radio 430. Thus, radio 430 may include one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functionsof radio 430. In addition, each integrated circuit may include circuitry(e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured to performthe functions of radio 430.

FIG. 5: Block Diagram of Cellular Communication Circuitry

FIG. 5 illustrates an example simplified block diagram of cellularcommunication circuitry, according to some embodiments. It is noted thatthe block diagram of the cellular communication circuitry of FIG. 5 isonly one example of a possible cellular communication circuit. Accordingto embodiments, cellular communication circuitry 330 may be included ina communication device, such as communication device 106 describedabove. As noted above, communication device 106 may be a user equipment(UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device orwireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobilecomputing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook, or portable computingdevice), a tablet and/or a combination of devices, among other devices.

The cellular communication circuitry 330 may couple (e.g.,communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, suchas antennas 335 a-b and 336 as shown (in FIG. 3 ). In some embodiments,cellular communication circuitry 330 may include dedicated receivechains (including and/or coupled to, e.g., communicatively; directly orindirectly. dedicated processors and/or radios) for multiple RATs (e.g.,a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). Forexample, as shown in FIG. 5 , cellular communication circuitry 330 mayinclude a modem 510 and a modem 520. Modem 510 may be configured forcommunications according to a first RAT, e.g., such as LTE or LTE-A, andmodem 520 may be configured for communications according to a secondRAT, e.g., such as 5G NR.

As shown, modem 510 may include one or more processors 512 and a memory516 in communication with processors 512. Modem 510 may be incommunication with a radio frequency (RF) front end 530. RF front end530 may include circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals.For example, RF front end 530 may include receive circuitry (RX) 532 andtransmit circuitry (TX) 534. In some embodiments, receive circuitry 532may be in communication with downlink (DL) front end 550, which mayinclude circuitry for receiving radio signals via antenna 335 a.

Similarly, modem 520 may include one or more processors 522 and a memory526 in communication with processors 522. Modem 520 may be incommunication with an RF front end 540. RF front end 540 may includecircuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, RFfront end 540 may include receive circuitry 542 and transmit circuitry544. In some embodiments, receive circuitry 542 may be in communicationwith DL front end 560, which may include circuitry for receiving radiosignals via antenna 335 b.

In some embodiments, a switch 570 may couple transmit circuitry 534 touplink (UL) front end 572. In addition, switch 570 may couple transmitcircuitry 544 to UL front end 572. UL front end 572 may includecircuitry for transmitting radio signals via antenna 336. Thus, whencellular communication circuitry 330 receives instructions to transmitaccording to the first RAT (e.g., as supported via modem 510), switch570 may be switched to a first state that allows modem 510 to transmitsignals according to the first RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain thatincludes transmit circuitry 534 and UL front end 572). Similarly, whencellular communication circuitry 330 receives instructions to transmitaccording to the second RAT (e.g., as supported via modem 520), switch570 may be switched to a second state that allows modem 520 to transmitsignals according to the second RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain thatincludes transmit circuitry 544 and UL front end 572).

As described herein, the modem 510 may include hardware and softwarecomponents for implementing the above features or for selecting aperiodic resource part for a user equipment device and a base station,as well as the various other techniques described herein. The processors512 may be configured to implement part or all of the features describedherein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memorymedium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium).Alternatively (or in addition), processor 512 may be configured as aprogrammable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable GateArray), or as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).Alternatively (or in addition) the processor 512, in conjunction withone or more of the other components 530, 532, 534, 550, 570, 572, 335and 336 may be configured to implement part or all of the featuresdescribed herein.

In addition, as described herein, processors 512 may include one or moreprocessing elements. Thus, processors 512 may include one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functionsof processors 512. In addition, each integrated circuit may includecircuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured toperform the functions of processors 512.

As described herein, the modem 520 may include hardware and softwarecomponents for implementing the above features for selecting a periodicresource on a wireless link between a UE and a base station, as well asthe various other techniques described herein. The processors 522 may beconfigured to implement part or all of the features described herein,e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g.,a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or inaddition), processor 522 may be configured as a programmable hardwareelement, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or inaddition) the processor 522, in conjunction with one or more of theother components 540, 542, 544, 550, 570, 572, 335 and 336 may beconfigured to implement part or all of the features described herein.

In addition, as described herein, processors 522 may include one or moreprocessing elements. Thus, processors 522 may include one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functionsof processors 522. In addition, each integrated circuit may includecircuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured toperform the functions of processors 522.

Timing Relationships in NTN

In a Terrestrial Network (TN), the timing can be different as comparedwith an NTN. For example, for TN, in a Physical Downlink Shared Channel(PDSCH) reception timing, the Downlink Control Information (DCI)indicates a slot offset K₀, where the slot allocated for the PDSCH is[n·2^(μ) _(PDSCH)/2^(μ) _(PDCCH)]+K₀. In addition, for the DCI scheduledPhysical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission timing, the DCIindicates the slot offset K₂, the slot allocated for PUSCH is [n·2^(μ)_(PUSCH)/2^(μ) _(PUCCH)]+K₂. In some embodiments, neither K₀ nor K₂ needa further offset in an NTN.

Furthermore, a Random Access Response (RAR) grant scheduled PUSCHtransmission timing (e.g., Msg3), the RAR message ends in slot n, whichis the slot allocated for PUSCH is n+K₂+Δ, where the value for Δ candepend on μ_(PUSCH) (see Table 1 below).

TABLE 1 Mapping Δ to μ_(PUSCH). μ_(PUSCH) Δ 0 2 1 3 2 4 3 6

Moreover, in a DCI scheduled PUCCH transmission timing, the DCIindicates the slot offset K₁. Thus, for a PDSCH reception at slot n, theslot allocated for PUCCH is n+K₁. FIG. 6 is an illustration of someembodiments of reception and transmission timings. In FIG. 6 , the PDSCHreception timing 600 illustrates that K₀ 608 is the time gap between DCI602 and PDSCH 604 and K₁ 610 is the time gap between PDSCH 604 receptionand PUCCH 606 transmission. Furthermore, PUSCH transmission timing 614illustrates that K₂ is the time gape between DCI 602 and PUSCH 616.

In addition, and in a TN system, for a Media access Control (MAC)Control Element (CE) action timing, the HARQ-ACK corresponding to aPDSCH carrying a MAC-CE command is sent in slot n. The correspondingaction time is n+3N_(slot) ^(subframe,μ), where N_(slot) ^(subframe,μ)is the number of slots per subframe. Similar timing for aperiodicSounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission timing and CSI referenceresource timing.

In a further embodiment, K₀ and K₁ are retrieved in the DCI Formats 1_0,1_1, or 1_2, where K₀ is the time gap between DCI and PDSCH and K₁ isthe time gap between PDSCH reception and PUCCH transmission. In someembodiments, in the DCI Format 1_0, K₁ is between 1 and 8 slots, in theDCI Format 1_1, K₁ is one of the values between 0 and 15 slots in PUCCHSCS (“dl-DataToUL-ACK” IE), and in DCI Format 1_2, K₁ is one of thevalues between 0 and 15 slots in PUCCH SCS(“dl-DataToUL-ACK-ForDCIFormat1_2” IE). Furthermore, the maximum gapbetween PDSCH reception and PUCCH transmission is 15 slots. In anotherembodiment, K₂ is retrieved in the DCI Format 0_0, 0_1, or 0_2, K₂ isthe time gap between DCI and PUSCH. In some embodiments, in DCI Formats0_0, 0_1, and 0_2, K₂ is one of the values between 0 and 32 slots inPUCCH SCS (“PUSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocation” or“PUSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocationNew” IE).

For timing in NTN systems, the timing relationships are differentbecause of the longer delays involved in communicating data across asatellite based system. In some embodiments, In the NR Rel 16 NTN study,a timing relationship is achieved by introducing an offset K_(offset),where the PUSCH timing is

$\left\lfloor {n \cdot \frac{2^{\mu_{PUSCH}}}{2^{\mu_{PDCCH}}}} \right\rfloor + K_{2} + {K_{offset}.}$

Here, K₂ is indicated by the DCI, and μ_(PUSCH) and μ_(PDCCH) are thesub-carrier spacing for PUSCH and PDCCH, respectively. In someembodiments, K_(offset) is used to count the large propagation delayfrom satellite and K_(offset) is in unit of slots. In this embodiment,the K_(offset) is a round trip measurement of the propagation delay. Inanother embodiment, a similar offset applies to RAR grant scheduledPUSCH, PUCCH, SRS transmission. For example and in some embodiments, forthe CSI reference resource timing, the Channel-State Information (CSI)reference resource for a CSI repot in uplink slot n′ is given by asingle downlink slot n-n_(CSI) _(ref) -K_(offset) where

${n = \left\lfloor {n^{\prime}\frac{2^{\mu_{DL}}}{2^{\mu_{UL}}}} \right\rfloor},$

μ_(DL) and μ_(UL) are the sub-carrier spacing configurations for DL andUL, respectively and n_(CSI) _(ref) depends on the type of CSI report.In addition, the MAC CE action timing is n+3N_(slot) ^(subframe,μ),where n is HARQ-ACK time for PDSCH carrying a MAC CE command andN_(slot) ^(subframe,μ) is the number of slots Slot per subframe forsub-carrier spacing p. In some embodiments, while the MAC CE actiontiming is 3 microseconds for TN, this time can be larger in an NTN.

In some embodiments, in an NTN system, a challenge can be determiningthe time relationship based on a timing advance (TA). In someembodiments, timing advance means that, in an uplink transmission, a UEsends data earlier to compensate the propagation delay so that gNBreceives the uplink data on time. For example and in some embodiments,the will be a need to calculate K_(offset) and also a need to ensure aproper UL resource after the additional slot offset. In addition, for anNTN system that includes a UE with low capability of deriving theaccurate differential TA, there is a challenge in ensuring that thePUCCH/PUSCH scheduled via K₁ and K₂, can be received at Next GenerationNodeB (gNB) with proper timing. In some embodiments, a UE with highcapability can derive an accurate differential TA, whereas a UE with lowcapability is unable to derive an accurate differential TA. In thisembodiment, the existing K₁ and K₂ value ranges can be small and smallK₁ and K₂ values may not be suitable for UEs with low capability ofaccurate differential TA acquisition. With the introduction ofUE-specific time offset, the slot for uplink transmissions of PUSCH orPUCCH are not guaranteed to be uplink slot, with the existing range ofK₁ and K₂. Thus, in some embodiments, a UE can extend the range of K₁and K₂ for NTN. Furthermore, increasing K₁ and K₂ value ranges withoutincreasing DCI signaling overhead can be useful. In addition, in NTN,the system may apply K_(offset) to sidelink transmissions and configurethe parameters in configured grant type 1 for NTN.

In a further embodiment, a scaling factor (S) for K₄ can be applied. Insome embodiments, a possible scaling factor can be one of {1, 2, 4, 8,16} or a different value. As with the scaling factor for K₁ or K₂ or K₄,the value of the scaling factor can depend on cell/beam size and/ordepend on UE capability. In some embodiments, the network wouldconfigure and/or select a single scaling factor value for each UE. In afurther embodiment, the network (e.g., a base station) would signal thescaling factor to the UE. For example and in some embodiments, thesignaling can be a dedicated RRC signaling, e.g.,“SL-ConfigDedicatedNR-r16”. In another embodiment, the actual time gapbetween PDSCH reception and PUCCH transmission can be S·K₁ slots.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of some embodiments of NTN timingrelationships 700. In FIG. 7 , the timing relationships includes slottimings 702A-D. In some embodiments, the gnB DL 702A includes ascheduled PUSCH 704 for a TN, which is shifted for NTN with K_(offset)708 to an NTN scheduled PUSCH 706. In addition, the UL DL 702B startsafter a TA 710. At slot 0 of the UE DL 702B, the DCI is received and thescheduled PUSCH starts after a delay of 2 slots from K₂. The UE UL 702Chas a propagation delay of four slots from slot 10 to slot 13.Furthermore, the gnB UL 702D as the received PUSCH at slot 10 due to alarge propagation delay 716.

In some embodiments, an additional time offset K_(offset) is introducedfor NTN, where this time offset is in unit of slots. In addition, thistime offset is on top of the existing timing of UE transmission types(e.g. DCI scheduled PUSCH, RAR scheduled PUSCH, PUCCH, MAC CE actiontiming, aperiodic SRS, as well as the CRI-RS reference resource). FIG.8AB are flow diagrams of some embodiments of a process to determineK_(offset) and use K_(offset) for determining different timings for ULand DL.

In some embodiments, a base station performs process 800 as illustratedin FIG. 8A. In FIG. 8A, process 800 determines the timing advance basedon a random access preamble reception at block 802. In one embodiment,process 800 collects the information that is used for calculatingK_(offset). In this embodiment, K_(offset) is derived from timingadvance (TA). The base station can calculate TA from the received PRACH.At block 804, process 800 determines K_(offset) based on the determinedTA. In some embodiments, the determination of K_(offset) is based on thetype of NTN architecture. In some embodiments, the time offsetK_(offset) is calculated based on the summation of service link full TAand feeder link TA for transparent satellite, where the gnB is on theground. For example and in some embodiments, when the gNB is on theground,

${K_{offset} = \left\lceil \frac{{TA_{se{rvice}{link}}} + {TA_{{feeder}{link}}}}{{slot}{duration}} \right\rceil},$

where TA_(servicelink) is the full TA that is the summation of thecommon TA and the differential TA. In another example, when the gNB ison the satellite, the time offset is

${K_{offset} = \left\lceil \frac{TA_{servicelink}}{{slot}{duration}} \right\rceil},$

where TA_(servicelink) is the full service link TA. In anotherembodiment, for different satellite systems, K_(offset) may becalculated differently.

Process 800 determines a candidate slot for a UL reception based on theK_(offset) at block 806. In some embodiments, the candidate slot for aUL reception is based on a PUSCH timing that is calculated using theequation

$\left\lfloor {n \cdot \frac{2^{\mu_{PUSCH}}}{2^{\mu_{PDCCH}}}} \right\rfloor + K_{2} + {K_{offset}.}$

In addition, or instead at block 806, and in some embodiments, process800 can determine PUCCH or SRS timing using K_(offset). In thisembodiment, process 800 applies K_(offset) for PUCCH and/or SRS timing(e.g., adding K_(offset) to a TN computation for PUCCH and/or SRS timingvalues). At block 808, process 800 determines if there is a candidateslot available. In some embodiments, process 800 determines thecandidate slot is available based on a Time Division Duplex (TDD)configuration of the candidate slot format. For example and in oneembodiment, process 800 determines if the candidate slot is an uplinkslot, a downlink slot, a hybrid slot or a flexible slot based on atleast the TDD configuration of the candidate slot format. If thecandidate slot is one of an uplink slot or a hybrid slot with the uplinkreception corresponding to uplink symbols in the hybrid slot, thecandidate slot is available. Alternatively, the candidate slot isunavailable when the candidate slot is one of a downlink slot, a hybridslot with the uplink reception not corresponding to uplink symbols inthe hybrid slot, or a flexible slot. If the candidate slot is available,execution proceeds to block 812 below, where process 800 selects theinitially determined candidate slot as the UL slot and executionproceeds to block 814. If there is not a candidate slot that isavailable, execution proceeds to block 810, where process selects thenext available candidate slot for the UL slot. In some embodiments, itis possible with the additional time offset, the corresponding candidateslot is not available. In this embodiment, process 800 selects the firstavailable slot for UL transmissions after the indicated UL slot(including time offset). In some embodiments, the UL transmissions canbe performed for a DCI scheduled PUSCH, RAR scheduled PUSCH, PUCCH, oraperiodic SRS, where the MAC CE action timing is not affected. Executionproceeds to block 814 below.

Process 800 further adjusts a MAC CE action timing using the K_(offset)at block 814. In some embodiments, process 800 computes the MAC CEaction timing using the equation n+XN_(slot) ^(subframe,μ)+K_(offset).In this embodiment, X may be smaller than 3, depending on gNBcapability. Alternatively, X may depend on K_(offset), where the largerthe K_(offset), the smaller the X value. In addition, the sum XN_(slot)^(subframe,μ)+K_(offset) may be a constant or may be upper bounded by aconstant. Furthermore, the X value may be broadcast by gNB (e.g., inSIB).

In FIG. 8B, process 850 is performed by a UE. FIG. 8B begins by process850 receiving the timing advance information from the base station atblock 852. In some embodiments, the determination of K_(offset) is basedon the type of NTN architecture. In some embodiments, process 850collects information for calculating K_(offset). In this embodiment,K_(offset) is derived from the TA from a TA command in RAR (RandomAccess Response) messages from NW. At block 854, process 850 determinesK_(offset) based on the determined TA. In some embodiments, the timeoffset K_(offset) is calculated based on the summation of service linkfull TA and feeder link TA for transparent satellite, where the gnB ison the ground. For example and in some embodiments, when the gNB is onthe ground,

${K_{offset} = \left\lceil \frac{{TA_{se{rvice}{link}}} + {TA_{{feeder}{link}}}}{{slot}{duration}} \right\rceil},$

where TA_(servicelink) is the full TA that is the summation of thecommon TA and the differential TA. In another example, when the gNB ison the satellite, the time offset is

${K_{offset} = \left\lceil \frac{TA_{servicelink}}{{slot}{duration}} \right\rceil},$

where TA_(servicelink) is the full service link TA. In anotherembodiment, for different satellite systems, K_(offset) may becalculated differently.

Process 850 determines a candidate slot based on the CSI-RS referenceresource timing and K_(offset) at block 856. In some embodiments, theCSI reference resource timing, the CSI reference resource is given inthe downlink slot as n-n_(CSI) _(ref) -K_(offset), where n is time slotof CSI reporting and n_(CSI) _(ref) depends on the type of CSI report.At block 858, process 850 determines if there is a candidate slotavailable. In some embodiments, process 850 determines the candidateslot is available based on a TDD configuration of the candidate slotformat. For example and in one embodiment, process 850 determines if thecandidate slot is an uplink slot, a downlink slot, a hybrid slot or aflexible slot based on at least the TDD configuration of the candidateslot format. If the candidate slot is one of a downlink slot or a hybridslot with the downlink reception corresponding to downlink symbols inthe hybrid slot, the candidate slot is available. Alternatively, thecandidate slot is unavailable when the candidate slot is one of anuplink slot, a hybrid slot with the downlink reception not correspondingto downlink symbols in the hybrid slot, or a flexible slot. If there isa candidate slot available, execution proceeds to block 862 below, whereprocess 850 uses the candidate slot. If there is not a candidate slotthat is available, execution proceeds to block 860, where process 850selects the another slot for the DL. In some embodiments, it is possiblewith the additional time offset, the corresponding DL slot is notavailable. In this embodiment, process 860 selects the previouslyavailable slot for DL transmissions before the indicated DL slot(including time offset). Alternatively, process 850 can select the nextavailable slot as the DL slot.

FIG. 9A-D are flow diagram of some embodiments of a process to extendone or more time gaps between a downlink (DL) and an uplink (UL). FIG.9A is a flow diagram of some embodiments to determine a slot for ULtransmission using a scaling factor and K_(offset). In some embodiments,a UE performs process 900. In FIG. 9 , process 900 begins by receiving ascaling factor for a K value through a Radio Resource Control (RRC)signal at block 902. In some embodiments, the scaling factor can be forone or more of K₁, K₂, or K₄. In some embodiments, existing K₁, K₂values can independently range from 0-15 slots (K₁) or 0-32 slots (K₂).In some embodiments, the scaling factor is one of {1, 2, 4, 8, 16},although the scaling factors may include different values. For exampleand in some embodiments, NTN can have large cell size and/or a largedifferential TA values. In this example, inaccurate differential TAvalues can be due to a UE's capability deriving accurate or inaccuratedifferential TA. In some embodiments, the values of the scalingfactor(s) can depend on cell and/or beam size. For example and in someembodiments, the larger the cell size, the larger the scaling factorvalues. In addition, there can be a single scaling factor value for eachUE, or there can be different scaling factors for different K values. Inaddition, the selected scaling factor can depend on UE capability. Forexample and in some embodiments, for a high capable UE, the scalingconfiguration is not needed, or configured scaling factor can be 1.Alternatively, for a low capable UE, the configuration can include asingle scaling factor that is larger than 1.

At block 904, process 900 determines K_(offset) through an RRC signal.In some embodiments, process 900 receives K_(offset) by signaling fromthe network via a dedicated RRC signal, which can be the same ordifferent RRC signal as the RRC signal used to communicate the scalingfactor. At block 906, process 900 receives DCI with an indication of a Kvalue. In this embodiment, the DCI includes an indication of which ofthe K values (e.g., K₁, K₂, or K₄) is to be scaled with the scalingfactor. Process 900 calculates a new K value using the scaling factorand the indicated K value at block 908. In some embodiments, process 900calculates the new K value by multiplying the existing K value by thescaling factor, S. For example and in one embodiment, if the K value isK₁, process 900 calculates a K₁′=S*K₁. New K values can be computedsimilarly for K₂ and/or K₄. At block 910, process determines a slot forUL transmission using the new K value and K_(offset).

In FIG. 9A, process 900 applies a scaling factor that is sent using anRRC message. In alternate embodiments, the scaling factor applied can bemore dynamic where the scaling factor is communicated to the UE throughDCI and not just through a RRC signal. FIG. 9B is a flow diagram of someembodiments to determine a slot for UL transmission using a scalingfactor and K_(offset), where the indicated scaling factor iscommunicated through DCI. In some embodiments, a UE performs process920. In FIG. 9B, process 920 begins by receiving a scaling factor setfor a K value through a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal at block922. In some embodiments, the scaling factor set can be used for one ormore of K₁, K₂, or K₄. In some embodiments, existing K₁, K₂ values canindependently range from 0-15 slots (K₁) or 0-32 slots (K₂). In someembodiments, the scaling factor set can be the set of scaling factors,such as {1, 2, 4, 8, 16}, although the scaling factor set may includedifferent values. At block 924, process 920 determines K_(offset)through an RRC signal. In some embodiments, process 920 receivesK_(offset) by signaling from the network via a dedicated RRC signal,which can be the same or different RRC signal as the RRC signal used tocommunicate the scaling factor.

At block 926, process 920 receives DCI with an indication of a K valueand scaling factor. In some embodiments, the DCI includes an indicationof which of the K values (e.g., K₁, K₂, or K₄) is to be scaled with thescaling factor. In addition, the DCI can include an indication of whichscaling factor to use with this K value, where the scaling factor isselected from the scaling factor set sent to the UE as described inblock 922 above. There can be different scaling factors for different Kvalues and/or different UEs. For example and in some embodiments, NTNcan have large cell size and/or a large differential TA values. In thisexample, inaccurate differential TA values can be due to a UE'scapability deriving accurate or inaccurate differential TA. In someembodiments, the values of the scaling factor(s) for the scaling factorset can depend on cell and/or beam size. For example and in someembodiments, the larger the cell size, the larger the scaling factorvalues. In addition, the selected scaling factor can depend on UEcapability. For example and in some embodiments, for a high capable UE,the scaling configuration is not needed, or configured scaling factorcan be 1. Alternatively, for a low capable UE, the configuration caninclude a single scaling factor that is larger than 1.

Process 920 calculates a new K value using the indicated scaling factorand the indicated K value at block 928. In some embodiments, process 920calculates the new K value by multiplying the existing K value by thescaling factor, S. For example and in one embodiment, if the K value isK₁, process 920 calculates a K₁′=S*K₁. New K values can be computedsimilarly for K₂ and/or K₄. At block 930, process determines a slot forUL transmission using the new K value and K_(offset).

In FIG. 9AB, processes 900 and 920 represented UE processes thatdetermine a UL slot based on information sent to the UE from a basestation. On a base station, corresponding processes determine the UL sotinformation for a reception of the UL communication. FIG. 9C is a flowdiagram of some embodiments to determine a slot for UL transmission fora base station using a scaling factor and K_(offset). In someembodiments, a base station performs process 940. In FIG. 9C, process940 begins by determining a scaling factor and K_(offset) for a UE atblock 942. In some embodiment, process 940 determines the scaling factorbased on the NTN characteristics and the UE characteristics as describedin FIG. 9A above. At block 944, process 940 sends the scaling factor andK_(offset) to the UE through one or more RRC signals. In someembodiments, process 940 can send the scaling factor and K_(offset) inthe same or different RRC signals.

Process 940 sends DCI with an indication of the K value at block 946. Insome embodiments, process 940 selects which K value to choose forscaling. In some embodiments, which K values is included depends on theDCI format. For example and in one embodiment, when the base stationsends a DCI with a DCI Format for DL scheduling, the DCI will includeK1. For UL scheduling, the DCI Format may include K2. In theseembodiments, process 940 selects one or more of K₁, K₂, or K₄ toindicate in the DCI. At block 948, process 940 determines the slots forreception of the UL transmission from the UE based on at least thescaling factor, K value, and/or K_(offset). In one embodiment, thedetermination of the UL slot depends on the type of UL transmission(e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, and/or another type of UL transmission. For exampleand in one embodiment, for a PUCCH, the UL slot is determined using theformula n+K₁′, where K₁′ is the scaled value of K₁. Alternatively forPUSCH, the UL slot is determined using the formula,

${\left\lfloor {n \cdot \frac{2^{\mu_{PUSCH}}}{2^{\mu_{PDCCH}}}} \right\rfloor + K_{2}^{\prime} + K_{offset}},$

where K₂′ is the scaled value of K₂ is the value as indicated above.Similarly, the time gap between PSFCH and PUCCH is K₄′+K_(offset), whereK₄′ is the scaled value of K₄.

In FIG. 9B above, the UE receives a set of scaling factors and whichfactor to use by the UE is indicated in DCI sent from the base station.FIG. 9D is a flow diagram of some embodiments to determine a slot for ULtransmission for a base station using a scaling factor and K_(offset),where the indicated scaling factor is communicated through DCI. In someembodiments, the base station perform process 960. In FIG. 9D, process960 begins by determining and sending a set of scaling factors to the UEfrom the base station through an RRC signal at block 962. In someembodiments, the scaling factor set can be used for one or more of K₁,K₂, or K₄. In some embodiments, existing K₁, K₂ values can independentlyrange from 0-15 slots (K₁) or 0-32 slots (K₂). In some embodiments, thescaling factor set can be the set of scaling factors, such as {1, 2, 4,8, 16}, although the scaling factor set may include different values.

At block 964, process 960 determines and sends K_(offset) to the UEthrough an RRC signal. In some embodiments, process 960 determines thevalue of K_(offset) based on the type of NTN architecture as describedabove in FIG. 8A. In some embodiments, process 960 sends K_(offset) bysignaling from the network via a dedicated RRC signal, which can be thesame or different RRC signal as the RRC signal used to communicate thescaling factor. Process 960 determines a scaling factor and K value forthe UL transmission of the UE at block 966. In some embodiments, process960 selects which K value to choose for scaling. Which K value isincluded in the DCI depends on the DCI formatting as described in FIG.9A above. n these embodiments, process 960 selects one or more of K₁,K₂, or K₄ to indicate in the DCI. In addition, the scaling factor isselected from the scaling factor set and can be tailored for thedetermined K value and/or receiving UE. Process 960 sends an indicationof the K value and determined scaling factor at block 968. At block 970,process 960 determines the slots for reception of the UL transmissionfrom the UE based on at least the scaling factor, K value, and/orK_(offset). In one embodiment, the determination of the UL slot dependson the type of UL transmission (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, and/or another typeof UL transmission. For example and in one embodiment, for a PUCCH, theUL slot is determined using the formula n+K₁′, where K₁′ is the scaledvalue of K₁. Alternatively for PUSCH, the UL slot is determined usingthe formula,

${\left\lfloor {n \cdot \frac{2^{\mu_{PUSCH}}}{2^{\mu_{PDCCH}}}} \right\rfloor + K_{2}^{\prime} + K_{offset}},$

where K₂′ is the scaled value of K₂ is the value as indicated above.Similarly, the time gap between PSFCH and PUCCH is K₄′+K_(offset), whereK₄′ is the scaled value of K₄.

In some embodiments, the DCI Format 3_0 includes time gaps K₃ and K₄,where the time gap K₃ is between DCI 3_0 reception to first PSCCH/PSSCHtransmission and the time gap K₄ between last PSFCH reception and PUCCHtransmission. In NTN, there may be no additional K_(offset) on top ofK₃, but K_(offset) can be applied to K₄. FIG. 10 illustrates an exampleblock diagram of a timing relationship 1000 for a sidelink in NTNaccording to some embodiments. In FIG. 10 , the timing relationshipindicates the time gaps between DCI 3_0 1002 and PSCCH/PSSCH 1004 andPSFCH 1006 and PUCCH 1008. In some embodiments, the time gap K₃ 1010 isnot adjusted for NTN, as this time gap is sufficient for the gap betweenDCI 3_0 1002 and PSCCH/PSSCH 1004. Alternatively, the time gap K₄ 1012between PSFCH 1006 and PUCCH 1008 is increased by K_(offset) in NTN. Inaddition, K_(offset) may be the same or different from that for PUSCHtransmission in NTN.

In a further embodiment, the UE can use K_(offset) in a timingrelationship for Type 1 Configured Grant Configuration. FIG. 11 ABillustrate an example block diagram of a timing relationship for a Type1 Configured Grant Configuration in NTN. In FIG. 11A, the time domainoffset 1104 can include K_(offset), where the time domain offset is anoffset from a reference time 1102 (e.g., SFN=0) to configured grants1108. In some embodiments, the configured grants 1108 are separated by aperiodicity value 1106. In some embodiments, K_(offset) is included inthe configured grant configuration. In another embodiment, A separateK_(offset) parameter is in configured grant configuration. For exampleand in some embodiments, the following equation is used to determine theslot number for the configured grant, which includes K_(offset):

[(SFN×numberOfSlotsPerFrame×numberOfSymbolsPerSlot)+(slot number in theframe×numberOfSymbolsPerSlot)+symbol number in theslot]=(timeReferenceSFN×numberOfSlotsPerFrame×numberOfSymbolsPerSlot+timeDomainOffset×numberOfSymbolsPerSlot+K_(offset)×numberOfSymbolsPerSlot+S+N×periodicity) modulo(1024×numberOfSlotsPerFrame×numberOfSymbolsPerSlot).

In a further embodiment, the network combines K_(offset) into“TimeDomainOffset” in configured grant configuration. For example and insome embodiments, for the “timeDomainOffset” range, the lower bounddepends on satellite type (e.g., LEO, GEO, HAPS). For example and insome embodiments, in type 1 configured grant configuration, there is afield of “timeDomainOffset” to indicate the time gap between theconfigured grant time and the reference time (e.g., SFN=0). The time gapmay be larger for NTN so as to include the K_(offset).

In another embodiment, the network can include K_(offset) in eachtransmission. In FIG. 11B, the time domain offset 1112 can includeK_(offset) as a separate value in each transmission, where the timedomain offset is an offset from a reference time 1114 (e.g., SFN=0),when added to K_(offset) 1120, to configured grants 1118. In someembodiments, the configured grants 1118 are separated by a periodicityvalue 1116.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of some embodiments of a process 1300 todetermine and apply a scaling to K_(offset) for a Type 1 configure grantconfiguration. In some embodiments, a UE performs process 1200. In FIG.13 , process 1200 receives the timing information, where the timinginformation does not include K_(offset) at block 1202. In someembodiments, process 1200 receives K_(offset) by signaling from thenetwork via a dedicated RRC message. Process 1200 applies K_(offset) tothe Type 1 Configured Grant Configuration as described in FIG. 11B atblock 1204.

Portions of what was described above may be implemented with logiccircuitry such as a dedicated logic circuit or with a microcontroller orother form of processing core that executes program code instructions.Thus, processes taught by the discussion above may be performed withprogram code such as machine-executable instructions that cause amachine that executes these instructions to perform certain functions.In this context, a “machine” may be a machine that converts intermediateform (or “abstract”) instructions into processor specific instructions(e.g., an abstract execution environment such as a “virtual machine”(e.g., a Java Virtual Machine), an interpreter, a Common LanguageRuntime, a high-level language virtual machine, etc.), and/or,electronic circuitry disposed on a semiconductor chip (e.g., “logiccircuitry” implemented with transistors) designed to executeinstructions such as a general-purpose processor and/or aspecial-purpose processor. Processes taught by the discussion above mayalso be performed by (in the alternative to a machine or in combinationwith a machine) electronic circuitry designed to perform the processes(or a portion thereof) without the execution of program code.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing theoperations described herein. This apparatus may be specially constructedfor the required purpose, or it may comprise a general-purpose computerselectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored inthe computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computerreadable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type ofdisk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, andmagnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), RAMs, EPROMs,EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable forstoring electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer systembus.

A machine readable medium includes any mechanism for storing ortransmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., acomputer). For example, a machine readable medium includes read onlymemory (“ROM”); random access memory (“RAM”); magnetic disk storagemedia; optical storage media; flash memory devices; etc.

An article of manufacture may be used to store program code. An articleof manufacture that stores program code may be embodied as, but is notlimited to, one or more memories (e.g., one or more flash memories,random access memories (static, dynamic or other)), optical disks,CD-ROMs, DVD ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards or othertype of machine-readable media suitable for storing electronicinstructions. Program code may also be downloaded from a remote computer(e.g., a server) to a requesting computer (e.g., a client) by way ofdata signals embodied in a propagation medium (e.g., via a communicationlink (e.g., a network connection)).

The preceding detailed descriptions are presented in terms of algorithmsand symbolic representations of operations on data bits within acomputer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations arethe tools used by those skilled in the data processing arts to mosteffectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in theart. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be aself-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. Theoperations are those requiring physical manipulations of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be kept in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the above discussion, itis appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizingterms such as “sending,” “receiving,” “detecting,” “determining,”“communicating,” “transmitting,” “assigning,” “ranking,” “decrementing,”“selecting,” “applying,” “signaling,” or the like, refer to the actionand processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computingdevice, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

The processes and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purposesystems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specializedapparatus to perform the operations described. The required structurefor a variety of these systems will be evident from the descriptionbelow. In addition, the present invention is not described withreference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciatedthat a variety of programming languages may be used to implement theteachings of the invention as described herein.

It is well understood that the use of personally identifiableinformation should follow privacy policies and practices that aregenerally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmentalrequirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular,personally identifiable information data should be managed and handledso as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use,and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

The foregoing discussion merely describes some exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognizefrom such discussion, the accompanying drawings and the claims thatvarious modifications can be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A base station comprising a processor configured to perform operations comprising: determining a scaling factor and an offset; sending, to a user equipment (UE), the scaling factor and offset through a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal; sending, to the UE, downlink control information (DCI) with an indication of a time gap; and determining a slot for reception of an uplink transmission from the UE based on the scaling factor, the time gap, and the offset.
 2. The base station of claim 1, wherein the scaling factor is dependent on at least one of a cell size, a beam size, and user equipment capability.
 3. The base station of claim 2, wherein when the user equipment has high capabilities, the scaling factor is
 1. 4. The base station of claim 2, wherein when the user equipment has low capabilities, the scaling factor greater than
 1. 5. The base station of claim 1, wherein scaling factor ranges from 1 to
 16. 6. The base station of claim 1, wherein the time gap is computed using at least the scaling factor and an initial time gap.
 7. The base station of claim 6, wherein the initial time gap includes K₁, wherein K₁ represents a time gap between a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception and a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission.
 8. The base station of claim 6, wherein the initial time gap includes K₂, wherein K₂ represents a time gap between a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) reception and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission.
 9. The base station of claim 1, wherein there are different scaling factors for different time gaps.
 10. The base station of claim 1, wherein there is a same scaling factor for different time gaps.
 11. The base station of claim 1, wherein the initial time gap includes K₄ that represents a time gap between a Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) reception and a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission.
 12. The base station of claim 1, wherein there is a different scaling factor for different user equipment.
 13. The base station of claim 1, further comprising: sending an offset using a second RRC signal.
 14. The base station of claim 13, wherein the first and second RRC signals are the same signal.
 15. The base station of claim 13, wherein the first and second RRC signals are different signals.
 16. A method comprising: determining a scaling factor and an offset; sending, to a user equipment (UE), the scaling factor and offset through a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal; sending, to the UE, downlink control information (DCI) with an indication of a time gap; and determining a slot for reception of an uplink transmission from the UE based on the scaling factor, the time gap, and the offset.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the scaling factor is dependent on at least one of a cell size, a beam size, and user equipment capability.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein when the user equipment has high capabilities, the scaling factor is
 1. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein when the user equipment has low capabilities, the scaling factor greater than
 1. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the time gap is computed using at least the scaling factor and an initial time gap. 